The CSS Hunley and other submarines through time

By By AUBREY COHEN

on January 31, 2013 3:44 PM

The crank-powered Hunley and its eight-man crew never resurfaced after it became the first sub in history to sink an enemy warship, the USS Housatonic, in an attempt to break the Union blockade.

The crank-powered Hunley and its eight-man crew never resurfaced after it became the first sub in history to sink an enemy warship, the USS Housatonic, in an attempt to break the Union blockade.

Photo: Kean Collection, Getty Images

The crank-powered Hunley and its eight-man crew never resurfaced...photo-4117413.56015 - |ucfirst

The wreckage was discovered in 1995 and raised in 2000.

The wreckage was discovered in 1995 and raised in 2000.

Photo: Getty Images

The wreckage was discovered in 1995 and raised in 2000.photo-4117579.56015 - |ucfirst

Here, the Hunley sits in a preservation tank. For years, historians had speculated the crew ran out of air before they were able to return to shore. Inside the sub, the crew members were found at their seats, with no evidence of an attempt to abandon ship. less

Here, the Hunley sits in a preservation tank. For years, historians had speculated the crew ran out of air before they were able to return to shore. Inside the sub, the crew members were found at their seats, ... more

Photo: Getty Images

Here, the Hunley sits in a preservation tank. For years, historians...photo-4117578.56015 - |ucfirst

This is an experimental Union Navy submarine called the Intelligent Whale, circa 1865.

This is an experimental Union Navy submarine called the Intelligent Whale, circa 1865.

Photo: MPI, Getty Images

This is an experimental Union Navy submarine called the Intelligent...photo-4117428.56015 - |ucfirst

English mathematician William Bourne came up with this design for a submarine in 1578. The wooden framework is covered with waterproof leather, and employs moveable bulkheads and a hollow mast to vary the amount of water and air within. less

English mathematician William Bourne came up with this design for a submarine in 1578. The wooden framework is covered with waterproof leather, and employs moveable bulkheads and a hollow mast to vary the ... more

Photo: Hulton Archive, Getty Images

English mathematician William Bourne came up with this design for a...photo-4117431.56015 - |ucfirst

The Rotterdam Boat, from 1653, was 72 feet long and 12 feet high, with a breadth of eight feed, and powered by a clockwork device that drove a paddle wheel.

The Rotterdam Boat, from 1653, was 72 feet long and 12 feet high, with a breadth of eight feed, and powered by a clockwork device that drove a paddle wheel.

Photo: Henry Guttmann, Getty Images

The Rotterdam Boat, from 1653, was 72 feet long and 12 feet high,...photo-4117432.56015 - |ucfirst

American inventor David Bushnell invented an experimental submarine called the Turtle in 1775. An operator
turned a handle to work the propeller. Air in the vessel was sufficient for it to
remain submerged for 30 minutes. During the Revolutionary War, colonists made
several unsuccessful attempts to use the Turtle, armed with a mine, to blow up British warships. less

American inventor David Bushnell invented an experimental submarine called the Turtle in 1775. An operator
turned a handle to work the propeller. Air in the vessel was sufficient for it to
remain submerged ... more

Photo: MPI, Getty Images

American inventor David Bushnell invented an experimental submarine...photo-4117421.56015 - |ucfirst

On May 7, 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed and sank the ocean liner Lusitania off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland, killing 1,198, including 128 Americans, and helping bring the United States into World War I.

On May 7, 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed and sank the ocean liner Lusitania off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland, killing 1,198, including 128 Americans, and helping bring the United States into World War I.

Photo: Three Lions, Getty Images

On May 7, 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed and sank the ocean liner...photo-4117479.56015 - |ucfirst

This picture shows a British steamer, seen from the German U-boat that just torpedoed it, in 1916.

This picture shows a British steamer, seen from the German U-boat that just torpedoed it, in 1916.

Photo: Popperfoto, Popperfoto/Getty Images

This picture shows a British steamer, seen from the German U-boat...photo-4117482.56015 - |ucfirst

The American submarine USS Darter ran aground on Bombay shoal after playing a decisive role in the outcome of the Battle of Leyte Gulf by sighting and attacking the Imperial Japanese Navy's Center Force in 1944. less

The American submarine USS Darter ran aground on Bombay shoal after playing a decisive role in the outcome of the Battle of Leyte Gulf by sighting and attacking the Imperial Japanese Navy's Center Force in ... more

The French submarine le Triomphant is shown in Cherbourg, France on July 13, 1993.

The French submarine le Triomphant is shown in Cherbourg, France on July 13, 1993.

Photo: Raphael GAILLARDE, Gamma-Rapho Via Getty Images

The French submarine le Triomphant is shown in Cherbourg, France on...photo-4117544.56015 - |ucfirst

This picture, dated March 1995, shows the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk at its base in Vidyayevo, Russia. The Kursk suffered two explosions on Aug. 12, 2000 and sank to the bottom of the Barrents Sea. Despite rescue efforts, all 118 people aboard died. less

This picture, dated March 1995, shows the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk at its base in Vidyayevo, Russia. The Kursk suffered two explosions on Aug. 12, 2000 and sank to the bottom of the Barrents Sea. Despite ... more

Abandoned Russian submarines lie stuck in the ice where they sunk...photo-4117581.56015 - |ucfirst

The new U.S. nuclear-powered attack submarine Virginia travels from Norfolk, Va., Naval Shipyard to complete sea trials on Aug. 25, 2004. It was designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind.

The new U.S. nuclear-powered attack submarine Virginia travels from Norfolk, Va., Naval Shipyard to complete sea trials on Aug. 25, 2004. It was designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind.

The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hartford pulls into Mina Salman pier, Bahrain, on March 21, 2009 in Bahrain. According to reports from U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, it and the USS New Orleans collided on March 20, 2009 in the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the Arabian peninsula. less

The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hartford pulls into Mina Salman pier, Bahrain, on March 21, 2009 in Bahrain. According to reports from U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, it and the USS New Orleans collided on ... more

Colombian soldiers guard a homemade submersible in a forest area of the Cajambre river near Buenaventura, Colombia, on May 29, 2012. The Colombian Navy seized the sub, which could transport up to five tons of drugs. less

Colombian soldiers guard a homemade submersible in a forest area of the Cajambre river near Buenaventura, Colombia, on May 29, 2012. The Colombian Navy seized the sub, which could transport up to five tons of ... more

Photo: AFP, AFP/Getty Images

Colombian soldiers guard a homemade submersible in a forest area of...photo-4117573.56015 - |ucfirst